Bariatric surgery research has focused predominantly on weight loss outcomes and complications of surgery in relation to the type of surgical procedure. The psychological impact of having bariatric surgery has received less attention. This study investigated whether patients who receive psychological counselling have better physical and mental well-being post-bariatric surgery. Eighty-eight persons (81 female, 7 male, M age 43.99 years) who had undergone weight loss surgery were recruited from bariatric surgery and obesity online support groups to answer an electronic survey which included the Health Survey Short Form (SF-12) to assess mental and physical well-being. Patients who had attended ≥ 6 counselling sessions after gastric sleeve surgery had better physical well-being, compared to those who attended < 6 sessions. Patients who attended between one and four psychological counselling sessions had significantly higher mental well-being. Psychological support for the mental health needs of obese patients post-surgery requires more attention.
Keywords: Bariatric surgery; Mental well-being; Physical well-being; Psychological counselling.